'Wonderful Christmastime'

Sherry Carroll

Sherry Carroll has launched a book drive, collecting more than 1,300 books in memory of her dog, Ollie. The books have been donated to Together We Cope in Tinley Park, which distributes them to its clients.

Sherry Carroll has launched a book drive, collecting more than 1,300 books in memory of her dog, Ollie. The books have been donated to Together We Cope in Tinley Park, which distributes them to its clients. (Sherry Carroll)

We interrupt this nation's steady diet of news about loudmouths, cheaters, killers and clowns to present some tidings of warmth and good cheer —all of it originating here on the homefront, just in time for the holidays.

Be proud, Southlanders. Your community is rife with good people and good will.

In the spirit of the season, here is a sampling, set to holiday music. Now go tell it on the mountain.

"Celebrate Me Home"

In the early hours of Dec. 7, a Chicago police officer found a small Chinese crested mix canine on the brink of hypothermia.

The dog, between 6 and 8 years old, had injuries consistent with attempted strangulation. It was likely left outside to die, said Emily Klehm, executive director of the South Suburban Humane Society.

"We and our CPD friends believe that his injuries came from either a human's hands or from being used as a bait dog," Klehm said.

South Suburban Humane Society

Miracle was rescued by Chicago Police and brought to the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights earlier this month.

Miracle was rescued by Chicago Police and brought to the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights earlier this month. (South Suburban Humane Society)

Staff at the Chicago Heights shelter immediately began tending to the animal's needs. They named him Miracle, hoping he would live up to the moniker.

Maybe it's the dog's fighting spirit or the special care he's been given or maybe it's the season, but last week Miracle was released from the hospital and is now in a foster-to-adopt home, Klehm said.

"He's doing fantastic," Klehm said. "He's still got a lot of issues and will be in treatment for the next month or so but at least he's completely out of the woods."

The story has generated a great deal of interest and many have donated to the shelter in hopes of giving Miracle and the many other animals it cares for a better life. You can follow the story via SSHS's Facebook page by visiting https://www.facebook.com/SouthSuburbanHumane/

"We Need a Little Christmas"

The gratitude cup overfloweth at Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ in Oak Lawn this holiday.

Students at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School sponsored a food drive to benefit the church. In addition to the usual kinds of much-appreciated items, the students donated cases and cases of packages of a high-nutrition pasta dinner. They're stacked four high along an entire wall, Pastor Peggy McClanahan said.

"There's enough that we'll be able to hand those out to the church's food pantry clients for months to come," she said.

In addition, the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce donated an abundance of socks and some cash. The money will be used to buy underwear so that homeless people who use the PADS shelter at the church can get some much-needed essentials for Christmas, McClanahan said.

Sherry Carroll, of Homewood, turned the sad loss of her beloved dog Ollie into an educational opportunity for local youngsters. Ollie, a soft-coated wheaten terrier whom Carroll called "my friend, my companion, my ear," died on Valentine's Day.

In April, Carroll, who runs human resources at Bettenhausen Auto in Tinley Park, launched a book drive in his memory. Called Ollie's Books to Keep, the collection has resulted in more than 1,300 books being donated to Together We Cope in Tinley Park.

Now visitors to the agency's food pantry can bring home a book. The books, organized in two groups — for those up to 9 years old, and for those 9 to 17 — come from donations. One woman donated more than 300. Carroll also collects cash through a GoFundMe page and has teamed with an organization that supplies new books for just the cost of shipping, which is about 50 cents per book.

For Carroll, who lived in Tinley Park for 35 years and graduated from Tinley Park High School, the book drive is a way for her to give back, she said. And because she was able to choose a name for her chapter of the national Books to Keep program, she was able to honor Ollie, who died at age 10 of kidney disease.

More donations are welcome. Books can be marked to her attention and dropped at Bettenhausen FIAT, 17514 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. Carroll also can pick up donations. Email her at scarroll@bettenhausenauto.com.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

About 145 National Honor Society students from Andrew High School in Tinley Park recently visited patients at Providence Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Palos Heights.

Each student gets a chance to spend some time with the residents of the facility, sharing stories and jokes, and then all of the teens carol through the halls before they leave, said Sandra Dirker, an Andrew teacher and NHS sponsor.

"We've done this visit now for better than 20 years and we go with gifts in hand," Dirker said.

Diane Giglio, life enrichment director at Providence, said many of the patients were so impressed by the visit that they wrote the school a letter.

Rehab client Dave Manthey wrote: "They brought us a nice, warm, soft, fluffy throw and it's perfect. But the main thing is these 'honor kids' are so bright and helpful."

Patricia Biernacki, a long-term care resident, said: "I received a pair of slacks, the right size, and a real nice top. I am enjoying it very much."

Shepard High School

Sue Anderson, right, a teacher at Shepard High School in Palos Heights, is teaching a dozen students, including Stephanie Wasag, left, and Abby Graham, to crochet. They're making little red hats for babies at many area hospitals.

Sue Anderson, right, a teacher at Shepard High School in Palos Heights, is teaching a dozen students, including Stephanie Wasag, left, and Abby Graham, to crochet. They're making little red hats for babies at many area hospitals. (Shepard High School)

"Angels We Have Heard on High"

In November, Shepard students Jason Smith and Nya Griggs helped rescue a woman and her daughter after their pickup truck got stuck in a ditch near 129th Street and Monitor Avenue.

She couldn't remember the names of the students but she did remember the name of the school. In a note she sent to Principal Josh Barron, the woman, known only as "Mrs. King," wrote:

"The name of the school stuck with me because I have a shepherd and He sent two of His angels: those 2 young (students). They were polite, concerned and brilliant. They came with a plan, they executed it effortlessly and we were on our way. I really, really thank God for them and I pray that for the rest of their lives they are blessed to live the purpose for which they are created, that they have favor everywhere they go and that God gives them the desires of their hearts."

"Home for the Holidays"

As a child, Ibrahim Haleem underwent four liver transplants before the procedure finally worked.

Now, the physical education and health teacher at Parker Junior High in Flossmoor dedicates a good portion of his time to raising money for liver research through the Miracles Made Thru Research foundation he and his family started. It's his way of helping other children be home for the holidays and every day.

In October, the Orland Park-based charity raised $19,000 at its biennial fundraiser at Centennial Lanes in Tinley Park. Half of the money was donated to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and the other half to Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital.

On Dec. 12, members of 100+ Women Who Care of Will County presented a check for $2,300 to All Herding Breed Dog Rescue of Illinois in Joliet, said Maribeth Carlson, of Homer Glen.

The rescue works to prevent animal suffering, abuse and neglect. It rescues dogs from high-kill shelters that euthanize. It cares for the dogs, feeding them a proper diet and providing training and exercise until a new home with a forever family can be found.

Each member of 100+ Women Who Care of Will County makes a pledge to donate $100 four times a year. At each of the quarterly meetings, members nominate charities, three are chosen at random, and after a brief presentation, the members vote on which charity to support. All charities nominated must be located in and serve Will County and must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. For more information, visit http://www.100wwc-will.org

Similarly, Palos Park's Peace Village Retirement Community Needlework Club has donated thousands of hand-knit hats and blankets to Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Several club members devote countless hours to crafting these handmade bundles of warmth and love.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

In Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College students were busy helping make the world a better place this holiday season. Phi Theta Kappa members collected 294 pounds of food for Together We Cope in Tinley Park. The American Red Cross Club sponsored Holiday Cards for Heroes, collecting more than 100 cards of thanks for servicemen and women. The Women in Action club collected items for Moraine Valley and Mosque Foundation food pantries.

Meanwhile, nearby at Stagg High School, National Honor Society students are still busy collecting coats until Jan. 29. Students will be delivering the donations to the Worth Township Youth Commission.

In Orland Park, Woodworking 2 students from Sandburg High School participated in the worldwide Woodworkers Fighting Cancer build to raise money for the Cancer Research Institute. The students worked as a team to build four table and chair sets for children. With the help of the Sandburg woodworkers, the 2015 Woodworkers Fighting Cancer Build raised $20,899.

A version of this article appeared in print on December 21, 2015, in the News section of the Chicago Tribune with the headline "`Wonderful Christmastime' - Local news that will warm your heart and revive your spirit" —
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